An Accra High Court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa on 7^th May, 2020 sentenced one Ernest Agbemor-Yeboah to a fine of 1000 penalty units in the amount of GHc12,000.00 or in default 5 years imprisonment.

The accused stood trial for forging official documents for unlawful activities and receiving personal benefits from unauthorised payments. This was evident after UBA received Visa/Master card chargeback report from the Bank of America that payments made to the company were not authorised by the card owners.

Accused was charged with 134 offences, which included tax evasion, forgery of official documents, possession of forged document and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty on all the 134 counts.

In Court

Prosecution established the fact that Ernest Agbemor-Yeboah was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sir-Ernest Farms & Logistics Limited. The sole signatory to the company’s bank accounts.

Prosecution presented undisputed facts that the Accused used his company and forged official documents to defraud his victims but could not establish the forged documents were done by the accused.

At the end of prosecution case, Her Ladyship, Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa stated that Prosecution could not establish a prima facie case on seven (7) counts which included tax evasion, money laundering, defrauding by false pretences charges. Accused was found not guilty and acquitted on those seven (7) counts.

Her Ladyship, Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa found the accused not guilty and acquitted on 65 counts. The accused was however, found guilty on 63 counts and was convicted therewith.

In her judgment, Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa stated that considering the fact that the accused is a first time offender, a family man with children and about 62 years old. The accused was sentenced to a fine of 1000 penalty units that is GH¢12,000 or in default 5 years imprisonment on 63 counts.

Sentence to run concurrently.

Background

Sir-Ernest Farms & Logistics Limited owned by Ernest Agbemor-Yeboah received moneys unauthorised by the owners of the credit card owners.

The company is an agribusiness, export and logistics. Between 24^th January, 2017 to 31^st March, 2017, the company received remittances from sundry senders in different jurisdiction totally GHC1,468,447.59 via UBA’s U-Bills platform.

Ernest Agbemor-Yeboah through his company allegedly shipped mangoes, bananas, shea butter, kola nuts, ginger, rice to customers in USA and UK.

Source: Public Affairs Unit Desk